Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, Compressor 4: Installation best practices

It is strongly recommended that you install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, and Compressor 4 on a startup disk that does not have Final Cut Studio (2009) already installed. Use Apple's preferred installation procedure when upgrading one version of Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Studio to the next. This procedure is not unique to Final Cut Pro X.

If your Mac has only one hard disk and it already has Final Cut Studio (2009) installed on it, you can partition the hard disk to create a separate startup volume to install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4. For instructions, see the section below titled "Install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on a new partition".

If you must install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same startup disk as Final Cut Studio (2009), see the section below titled "Install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same startup disk as Final Cut Studio (2009)."

Install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on a new partition

Use Apple's preferred installation procedure when upgrading one version of Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Studio to the next. This procedure is not unique to Final Cut Pro X.

To create a new partition of your hard disk, follow instructions in Partitioning a disk. The partition must be large enough to contain all the files required by the version of Mac OS X you are installing, the applications you install, and enough room for projects and media.

From the Apple () menu, choose Software Update. Install the following updates if they appear in the list:

Mac OS X v10.6.8

ProKit Update Version 7.0

Purchase Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 from the Mac App Store. The app will begin downloading automatically, and the app icon will be added to your Dock with a progress bar below the app icon. Once the app is done installing, the progress bar below the app icon will go away.

From the Apple () menu, choose Software Update to download Pro Video Formats and the Final Cut Pro X or Motion supplemental content.

Install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same startup disk as Final Cut Studio (2009)

If you are unable to install on a separate partition, this is an alternate method.

From the Apple () menu, choose Software Update. Install the following updates if they appear in the list:

Mac OS X v10.6.8 or later

ProKit Update Version 7.0

The latest versions of the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications

Purchase Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 from the Mac App Store. The app you purchase will begin downloading automatically, and the app icon will be added to your Dock with a progress bar below the app icon. Once the app is done installing, the progress bar below the app icon will go away.

When you install Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same startup disk as Final Cut Studio (2009), the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications are moved to a new location (/Applications/Final Cut Studio).

To verify that the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications operate correctly, open Motion 4, and then quit Motion 4.

Important: Make sure to open Motion 4 first, before opening any other Final Cut Studio (2009) applications.

You can now use Final Cut Studio (2009) and Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same system, from the same startup disk.

Note: Final Cut Server, Podcast Producer, Software Updates for Final Cut Studio (2009), and some third-party workflows and tools may require that the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications remain in their original location in the Applications folder.

Restore the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications to their original location

Follow these steps to move the Final Cut Studio (2009) applications to their original location while still being able to use Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Compressor 4 on the same system.